Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake with Brown Butter Glaze
Moist upside-down cake featuring caramelized spiced pears topped with a nutty brown butter glaze for an inviting fall dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 65 minutes pairs divided unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, medium, peeled and sliced ripe pears for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp, divided unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup, packed brown sugar
- 3 medium, peeled and sliced ripe pears
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a 9-inch round cake pan, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in 3/4 cup packed brown sugar until dissolved and bubbling. Arrange 3 peeled, sliced medium pears evenly over the sugar mixture. Sprinkle 1 tsp ground cinnamon and 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg on top.
- Step 2: In a bowl, whisk 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt. In another large bowl, beat 3/4 cup granulated sugar with 2 large eggs until pale and fluffy. Add 4 tbsp melted butter, 1/2 cup whole milk, and 1 tsp vanilla extract, mixing well.
- Step 3: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Pour batter evenly over the pears in the pan.
- Step 4: Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until butter turns golden brown and smells nutty, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Step 6: Invert the cake onto a serving plate and drizzle the warm brown butter glaze over the top. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake with Brown Butter Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake with Brown Butter Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep divided unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake with Brown Butter Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake with Brown Butter Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Spiced Pear Upside-Down Cake with Brown Butter Glaze?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
